More than 500 litres of ukha fish soup prepared at events of the National Centre RUSSIA in Primorye
To warm participants of the ice half marathon, bring together residents of Dalnegorsk and add flavour to Maslenitsa celebrations in Vladivostok — all this was achieved by Primorye chefs, who prepared more than 500 litres of Far Eastern ukha fish soup at events of the regional branch of the National Centre RUSSIA in February. Each time, a different variety of soup was prepared, allowing guests to sample a range of tastes, from ukha with squid to the old Russian recipe of kalya.
The National Centre RUSSIA in the Primorye region supported the region’s tradition of gastronomic and tourism events by treating guests to ukha with a distinct Far Eastern character. February proved especially "fish-filled": at the Honor Vladivostok Ice Run half marathon and the "Fishermen's Maslenitsa" in Vladivostok, chefs from Primorye restaurants cooked 200 litres of ukha at each event, while at the "Smelt-2026" festival in Dalnegorsk more than 100 additional litres were prepared, with guests enjoying 600 portions.
"It is important that ukha prepared in the Primorye region has a special Far Eastern flavour, because, for example, on the Don or in Astrakhan the 'fishing conditions' are different, and it turns out differently there. Here we use all the gifts of the Sea of Japan, and our guests are treated, among other things, to ukha with laminaria, smelt and pollock," said Vitaly Stanislavchuk, Head of the National Centre RUSSIA in the Primorye region.
Before each cooking session, the chefs determine which recipe they will use. For example, the ukha served to warm participants of the ice half marathon included smoked squid and shrimp. The treat was provided by the Russian Fishery Company.
At the festival in Dalnegorsk, the ukha was prepared by chefs from the cafe "Breeze", who regularly take part in the event, four times over the five years during which the festival has been held. This year, participants were treated to a "royal" soup with pink salmon, as well as ukha made according to a secret recipe from the café "Rossiyanka". Tatyana Luzanova, Head of the Department of Culture, Sport and Youth Policy of the Administration of the Dalnegorsk Municipal District, noted that holding the "Smelt" festival in the district is important both because of its maritime location, where the Kamensky fish processing plant operates, and from the perspective of developing local tourism.
"When we first organised the 'Smelt' festival together with the Primorye Tourism Information Centre, other festivals followed, 'Ivan Kupala Day', and in August the Laminaria Festival dedicated to seafood in general will be held for the first time, among others. It is about promoting our territory and its natural beauty, about reconnecting people with their roots and about creating conditions for the development of tourism," Tatyana Luzanova said.
All expositions and events at the National Centre RUSSIA in the Primorye region are held free of charge. Some events require prior registration on the website. Follow updates to the schedule on social media and in the "Events" section of the Centre's website.
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